Sacroiliac and abdominal supporter



INVENTOR L.M.Rehthaler BY ORNEY a lllll I. llllln voll lll [l Jung 9,1942- L .,M. REHTHALER SACROILIAC AND ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER Fi led Dec. 2,1939 ll IIIIII FIIII +IIIIIIL llll l- Patented June 9, 1942 SACRQILKACAIJD ABDOIWINAL SUPPORTER Louis M. Rehtlialer, Battle Creek, Mich;Harold E. Steinbacher, executor of said Louis M Rehthaler, deceasedApplication December 2, 1939, Serial No. 307,201

Ciaims.

The present invention relates broadly to supporters, and in its morespecific phases to supporters employed in the treatment of sacroiliacpain, enteroptosis, and like ailments, as well as for hernia, rupture,operation incision support, and for all other purposes for whichsupporters of this character are or may be used.

Back pains, commonly referred to as lumbago, may, in most cases, be moreproperly referred to as sacroiliac sprains. Enteroptosis and pregnancyare common causes of abnormal strains tendin to tip the upper portion ofthe ilium forward with increase of the sacrovertebral angle with thelast lumbar vertebra. This places abnormal tension on certain of theligaments joining the sacrum to the hip or iliac bones, as well as thelast lumbar vertebra, and such may cause these bones to be pulled out ofperfect alignment necessary for painless articulation.

The sacral, and other nerves in the sacroiliac portion of the body, mayalso be pinched, compressed, or stretched under these conditions tofurther accentuate the sensation of pain. Under conditions involvingback pains of the lumbago type, it has been common practice to prescribea short rather stiff girdle with thigh or perineal straps to hold sameagainst creeping upward. Straps of this nature cause great discomfortdue to their cutting tendency, and it is well recognized that patientssometimes pre-. fer to suffer back pains rather than to use girdles orsupporters with these straps. It has also been standard practice toprovide lumbago treatment girdles or supporters with a pad at the centerof the back where the central ridge of the pad will press against thepatients back at the lumbar and sacrum area. This type of treatmentoverlooks the fact that forward tipping of the upper end of the sacrum,which in some cases may be referred to as lordosis, is commonly thecause of the pain, and. to accentuate this tipping by pressure throughthe use of a central back pad is fundamentally wrong. This pressureexerted by the central pad also causes discomfort when the patient sitsdown in a chair and trys to lean back. A better procedure is toeliminate the central back pad entirely and use a supporter which hasrelatively smooth back and front panels joined by adjustable straps.Preferably, the back panel has cushioned side members joined together inspaced apart relation with short pieces of webbing anchored between theback face of the back panel and the cushioning portion thereof. Thisconstruction removes direct pressure over the center of the sacrum andlower vertebra, and commonly gives noticeable immediate relief frompain. Such a device supports the abdomen, thus relieving part of thetension which tends to displace the sacrum, and at the same time, thestraps joining the front and back panels exert side pressure on the hipor ilium bones to give them support at the points of their articulationwith the sacrum, a thing which frequently results in immediate reliefwhere the supporter of the present invention is used. It was with theabove difiiculties and problems in mind that the present invention wasdevised.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provisionof a supporter particularly adapted for use in the treatment ofenteroptosis and sacroiliac pain.

Another object is to provide a supporter having front and back panelsconnected by straps in manner giving support to the abdomen and sidewisepressure on the sacrum by passing around the trunk of the patients bodyat the point which includes the hip or ilium bones and sacrum.

Another object is to provide a supporter of non-upward creepingconstruction which does not require thigh or perineal straps.

A further object is to provide each of the straps which contact thegroins of the patient with a padded member which prevents same fromrolling or cutting at that point under conditions of use.

A still further object is to provide a pad on each of the groincontacting straps of the supporter which will prevent chafing due tostretching and retracting of the strap when made of elastic webbing andyet not interfere with such stretching and retracting action.

A still further object is to provide a simplified form of supporterwhich is exceptionally satisfactory in use and yet which is easy tomanufacture and fit to the patient.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out theinvention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several ofvarious ways in which the principle of the invention may be used,

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective front view of one form of thepresent invention showing same as if it were applied to the human bodywith two of the straps still unfastened.

Figure 2 is a reduced size front elevational view of anotherconstruction of the back panel and straps usable as part of thesupporter of the present invention, wherein the straps are mounted incrossed pattern.

Figure 3 shows straps with eye-type fasteners therein.

Figure 4 shows the upper edge of one preferred strap assembly as viewedalong the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged section view taken along the line 5--5 of Figure4.

Figure 6 is a section view of the back panel as taken along the line 66of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section view of the front panel as taken along the line1-1 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a section view of the front panel taken at a pointcorresponding with that of Figure '7, but showing a modifiedconstruction.

Referring more particularly tothe drawing, the present inventioninvolves the use of a back panel I and a front panel 2 suitablyconnected together for use as a supporter. The back panel, for instance,is preferably formed of side members 3 and l suitably joined together bymeans of webbing 5 or the like which may be of either elastic ornon-elastic construction. The side members 3 and 4 of the back panel Iare preferably of composite construction, each being provided with backfac strips 6 and I (Figure 6) and front face strips 8 and 9,respectively. These front and back face strips may be made of anysuitable material, but soft thin top grain leather is preferable formost purposes, since it is neat appearing, long wearing, and may becomfortably fitted to the patient. In preferred construction, clothstrips in and H are fastened in place under front face strips 8 and 9,and stays l2 and it are fastened thereto in conventional manner, forinstance, by sewing or cementing. The cloth strips Ill and H may be ofthin construction' but for most purposes, a thicker and softer piece ofgoods, such as relatively thick flannel, is preferable due to itscushioning effect and insulation of the individual stays from thepatients body, The stays l2 and I3, as well as the other stayshereinafter referred to, may be formed from any conventional staymaterial including whalebone, but for most purposes, steel stays arepreferable, since the are thin and are not easily warped out of shapeunder continued use. For simplicity of understanding and showing of thedetails of the invention, the section views show the stays and otherparts of the supporter in exaggerated proportion.

The front panel 2 in preferred form is substantially in the shape of aninverted truncated wedge with rounded corners. This type of constructionpermits the use of a front panel with a wider top which gives additionalsupport without objectionable binding on the groins of the patient.Front panel 2 is also preferably of composite construction with a backstrip l4 (Figure 7), front face strip [5, cloth strip [6, and stays l1,l8, and 19. These stays are also preferably fastened to the cloth strip16 by sewing, cementing, or the like, and such cloth strip is preferablyof relatively thick soft construction, such as flannel, for cushioningeffect between the stays and the patients body.

Instead of using narrow strip stays l1, l8, and

I 9, a sheet metal stay 42 (Figure 8) approximately of the same shape asfront panel 2, but of a little smaller dimension to permit easy sewingof the edges of the assembly, may be used in like manner. The use ofthis sheet metal stay is exceptionally useful in the supporting ofoperation incisions and hernia in the area covered by front panel 2. Theback and front face strips I4 and I5 may be of cloth or other suitablematerial such as flannel or thin soft top grain leather.

Referring to Figure 1, back panel 1 has a pair of upper straps 20, 2 l,and a pair of lower straps 22, 23 connected to the side edges thereof bysewing or other conventional fastening procedure. The ends of theseupper and lower straps are fastenable to the front face it of frontpanel 2 in conventional manner as by means of hooking members, buckles,or the like. A combination of these which involves the use of buckles 24and 25 on front panel 2 for anchoring the free ends of straps 2| and 23,and hooks 26 and 21 adapted to be engaged by conventional adjustable eyemembers 28 and 29 on the free ends of straps 2t and 22 may be used.This, type of construction presents the advantages of quick fitting andremoval of the supporter by the patient without the supporter comingapart after removal, and it also avoids accidental reassembly of thesupporter with the front panel 2 in invert ed position after accidentaldisassembly. The supporter, however, is obviously not limited to the useof a combination of buckles and hooks, since any conventional fasteningmeans may be used and these include the entire use of buckles or theentire use of hooks.

The upper and lower straps may use eyelets 33, 3i (Figure 3) in theplace of adjustable eye members 28 and 29, although the latter arepreferable due to their ease of adjustability, and the fact that oncehaving been adjusted, they remain in that adjustment until re-set, athing which again facilitates quick on and off manipulation of thesupporter with assurance that it will be identically hooked up eachtime.

The fitting of the supporter shown in Figure 1 involvesthe placing ofsame on the patient with the back panel I over the sacrum portion of hisback, while the front panel 2 is held tightly against thelower frontportion of his abdomen by mean-s of straps 28}, 2|, 22, and 23 which inpreferred construction are formed of elastic webbing, When the supporteris in proper position, the upper edge of the patients hip or ilium boneswill lie above the upper edge of lower straps 22 and 23 and below thelower edge of upper straps 20 and 2|. Under 'these conditions, the upperstraps 20 and 2| will remain in fixed position with practically notendency to slip upward while the patient wearing the supporter walks orworks. The lower straps 22 and 23, which are preferably of elasticconstruction, at the same time act to give and take under walking orworking conditions, thus again avoiding the effect of forces which tendto push the supporter upward.

When the supporter is fitted as above described, the lower straps 22 and23 closely follow the groins of the patient-in other words, the creasesat the junction of his trunk and thighs. Under these conditions, if thepatients activities and work require him to sit or stoop over asubstantial portion of the time, the lower straps 22 and 23 tend togradually take on a hollow or rope-like appearance. This causes theselower straps to have an irritating or cut ting effect at the groins. Oneimportant phase of the present invention is the provision of means.

for preventing this cutting effect, regardless of the length of timethat the supporter is worn, or the type of work carried on by thepatient. In preferred construction, this means consists of a non-rollmember 32 which in preferred form is provided with loops 33, 34, and 35(Figure 4) permitting same to be slid on and off of the lower straps 22and 23 at will. This construction also prevents interference with thestretching and retracting of the lower straps when they are of elasticconstruction. The body contacting face 36 (Figure of the non-roll member32 may be of thin soft top grain leather if desired, or it may be of asoft fiannelized piece of goods. The back face 3'1 of the non-rollmember 32 is preferably made of a firm and relatively stiifer materialsuch as non-stretch webbing, since this will give the member a firmerconstruction. One or more thick soft or flannelized strips 38 arepreferably used between front contacting face member 35 and back facemember 3'! so that the non-roll member will produce a cushioned feelingto the patient wearing same. The non-roll member in this form remainssubstantially flat at all times, and is relatively satisfactory andefiicient in use. A preferred construction, however, is one whichinvolves the use of a plurality of short stays such as 39, iil and 4!which are located crosswise of the non-roll member and at spacedintervals. These stays may be sewed or cemented in place on the backface of one of the strips 38 and preferably that strip which is adjacentback face member 37. In preferred construction, these stays are mountedcrosswise of the non-roll member 32 at points coinciding with thelocation of loops 33, 34, and 35. Construction in this manner presentsthe advantage of positively holding the strap in flat position at eachloop of the non-roll member, and this again facilitates holding sameflat in the spaces between loops with a minimum number of stays.

Where the supporter is assembled as shown in Figure 1, there is atendency, particularly noticeable with fat people, for a ridge of fleshto protrude outward between each side pair of straps. To avoid thiscondition, the straps may be mounted in crossed position, as is shown inFigure 2, with the ends of the straps fastening to the front of frontpanel 2 in conventional manner such as is shown in Figure 1. With thesupporter assembled in this manner, upper straps 20a and 2la will be theunder straps and th ones which will closely follow the patients groins.Where non-roll protectors are used in connection with a supporterconstructed in this manner, they will preferably be placed on theseupper straps 20a and Zla as shown.

A preferred size for the form of the present invention shown in Figure1, where same is to be used by an adult, involves a back panel I whichis approximately 6 inches high and '7 inches wide intermediate of theupper and lower straps. The space between side members 3 and 4 isapproximately 2 inches. Front panel 2 is approximately 4% inches high by9 inches long at its largest dimensions. The upper and lower straps inpreferred construction are made from 1 /2 inch heavy elastic webbingsubstantially symmetrically wastened to back panel I and spacedapproximately 1% inches apart. The length of these straps will dependupon the size of the patient who is to wear the supporter.

convenient length for the non-roll protector is approximately 7 inches.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the articleherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctl claims as my invention:

1. A supporter having front and back panels, straps joining said panels,two of said straps being groin straps, a non-roll member on each groinstrap in position to contact the groin of the user under normalconditions of use, said nonroll members comprising front and back facemembers and at least one intermediate cushioning member, all of saidmembers being fastened together at the edges thereof, narrow stiffeningstays crosswise of each of said non-roll members at spaced intervals,and loops on the back face of each of said non-roll members adapted toreceive one of said groin straps in flat position.

2. A sacroiliac and abdominal supporter, which consists of a back panel,said back panel having a pair of upright relatively narrow side members,the adjacent sides of which are approximately parellel, each of saidside members having front and back face members, an intermediate softcushioning member between said front and back face members, alongitudinal stay fastened to said cushioning member on the side thereofadjacent the inner side of the back face member of said back panel,relatively short webbing means for joining said side members in closebut substantially spaced apart relation adapted to relieve pressure onthe sacrum and adjacent spinal area in the space between said sidemembers under normal conditions of use, a front panel, said front panelhaving front and back.

face members, an intermediate soft cushioning member between said frontand back face members, stay means between said cushioning member and thefront face member of said front' panel, a pair of upper and a pair oflower elastic webbing straps fastened to the side edges of the backpanel, means on the front face of the front panel for adjustablyanchoring the free ends of said upper and lower straps, the lower pairof straps being spaced from the upper pair of straps between the frontand back panels and acting as groin straps, and a padded and crosswisestiffened non-roll member fastened to the inner face of each of saidgroin straps by means of loops, said non-roll member being located onsaid groin straps so as to contact the groin of the user under normalconditions of use.

3. A sacroiliac and abdominal supporter, which consists of a back panel,said back panel having a pair of upright relatively narrow side members,the adjacent sides of which are approximately parallel, each of saidside members having front and back face members, an intermediate softcushioning member between said front and back face members, alongitudinal stay fastened to said cushioning member on the side thereofadjacent the inner side of the back face member of said back panel,relatively short webbing means for joining said side members in closebut substantially spaced apart relation adapted to relieve pressure onthe sacrum and. adjacent spinal area in the space between said sidemembers under normal conditions of use, a front panel, said front Wherethe groin straps are '10 inches long, a,

panel having front and back face members, an intermediate softcushioning member between said front and back face members, stay meansbetween said cushioning member and the front face member of said frontpanel, a pairof upper and a pair of lower elastic webbing strapsfastened to the side edges of the back panel, means on the front face ofthe front panel for adjustably anchoring the free ends of said upper andlower straps, each strap of the pair of straps joined to the upperportion of the side edges of the back panel crossing the correspondingstrap of the pair of straps joined to the lower portion of the sideedges of the back panel at a point intermediate of the front and backpanels, the upper pair of straps acting as groin straps and passinginside of the said lower straps, and a padded and crosswise stiffenednon-roll member fastened to the inner face of each of said groin strapsby means of loops, said non-roll member being located on said groinstraps so as to contact the groin of the user under normal conditions ofuse.

4. A device of the class described which comprises a front and a backpanel, said back panel having a pair of upright relatively narrow sidemembers, th adjacent sides of which are approximately parallel,longitudinal stays in said side members, cushioning material within saidside members and in front of said stays, means for joining said sidemembers in spaced apart relation so as to form a complete back panelwith a narrow hollow recess in front of said joining means and extendingfrom side member to side member to provide a pressure reduction area,said front panel having front and back face members, an intermediatesoft cushioning member between said front and back face members, arelatively rigidsheet metal means between said cushioning member and thefront face member of said panel, said sheet metal means underlying amajor portion of the area of the front face member of said front paneland being of substantially truncated wedge shape with the narrow edgedown, and upper and lower straps between said front and back panels foradjustably joining said panels together.

5. A device of the class described which comprises a front and a backpanel, said back panel having a pair of upright relatively narrow sidemembers, the adjacent sides of which are approximately parallel,longitudinal stays in. said side members, cushioning material withinsaid side members and in front of said stays, means for joining saidside members in spaced apart relation so as to form a complete backpanel with a narrow hollow recess in front of said joining means andextending from side member to side member to provide a pressurereduction area, said front panel having front and back face members, anintermediate soft cushioning member between said front and back facemembers, a relatively rigid sheet metal means between said cushioningmember and the front face member of said panel, said sheet metal meansunderlying a major portion of the area of the front face member of saidfront panel and being of substantially truncated wedge shape with thenarrow edge down, upper and lower straps between said front and backpanels for adjustably joining said panels together, two of said strapsbeing groin straps said groin straps overlying the groins of the wearerunder normal conditions of use, and a roll-resisting stiffening means oneach of said groin straps and adapted to lie in contact with the groinof the user throughout the area of said groin strap overlying the groinunder normal conditions of use, said roll-resisting means comprisingfront and back members with stiffening stays crosswise thereof at spacedintervals, and means for joining one of said rollresisting means to eachof said groin straps.

LOUIS M. REI-ITHALER.

